MIDDLETON — Two Farmington men were charged after police spotted their vehicle fishtailing on Silver Street at a rapid rate of speed in inclement weather while nearly crashing into the policeman’s car.

The Middleton Police Department reports on Sunday, Feb. 17, an officer spotted a 2004 Nissan Frontier driving at an “excessive rate of speed” around 10 a.m. A press release says it was snowing at the time and the roads were slick.

Middleton police say if it had not been for the evasive actions of the patrolling officer, a collision would have occurred between the police car and the vehicle.

Subsequently, the driver, Kevin Gaffney, 28, of 79 Elm St., Farmington, was charged with a violation level offense for reckless operation. He was issued a court summons for a hearing in Rochester Circuit Court.

The passenger of the vehicle — James. L. Elliott, 25, of 25 Bunker St., Apt. 2, Farmington — was arrested on a criminal order out of Strafford County Superior Court. Elliott was transported to the county House of Corrections and is currently being held on $831.88, as was previously set by the court.